In each show, Don Armstrong (the host) leads the team through a variety of automotive topics that include coverage of events such as the Keels & Wheels Concours event, the NHRA Spring Nationals, the Houston Autorama as well as several local car show benefits during the year. We are thrilled to have them come this year to the Corvette Chevy Expo.

During the remote broadcast of In Wheel Time, they will be talking to show participants during their interview segments. Every car person has a story to tell and we will all be listening to see what interesting things they learn from the Chevrolet owners!

With the Corvette Chevy Expo being an All Chevy show, it is especially exciting to learn that Don Armstrong is also a Corvette owner and helped start one of the Houston Corvette Clubs.

“Don Armstrong was recently inducted into the Texas Broadcast Hall of Fame in addition to being a seasoned automotive writer. He’s been involved in the automotive world since high school when he began working at a local Chevrolet dealership.”

In Wheel Time is considered the most entertaining radio car show in Houston.

We are excited to add this year the Hagerty Youth Judging Program. Designed primarily for youth ages 8 to 14, the Youth Judging Program brings the world of classics to a kid-friendly level. I am sure the kids are going to have a lot of fun participating in this new event!

Saturday, March 10th from 10 am – 3 pm, children who are interested need to register at the Hagerty Insurance booth. Angelica Brothers will instruct the children and give them their judging kits.

The Young Judges will judge pre-selected show cars and interact with owners, allowing the judges to learn details, history and fun facts about each vehicle. They will be using a simplified scorecard that highlights five basic categories and they will rate the cars on a scale of 1-to-5.

The Youth Judging program is sponsored by Hagerty Insurance. There is no fee to participate and the Youth Judging program is open to children 8 to 14.

Here are some photos of Youth Judges at Amelia Island:

Youth Judging – Amelia Island 2017 – Aston Martin

Youth Judging

Hagerty Youth Judging Program is open to children 8 to 14 at the Corvette Chevy Expo this year.

If you are a model and would like to enter the Swimsuit USA International Model Search and Swimsuit Contest at the Corvette Chevy Expo March 11 at the Galveston Island Convention Center here is the contact information… Good Luck Ladies!

The world’s largest collector car auction is bringing their Mecum Mobile Experience to the 40th Corvette Chevy Expo at the beautiful Gulf front Galveston Island Convention Center March 10th and 11th. Experience first-hand what it feels like to be in the middle of the fast-paced Mecum Auction.

The interactive exhibit includes iPads where people can learn more about Mecum and register into their database for alerts of upcoming auctions and a regular newsletter.

The Mecum Mobile Experience has simulations and hands-on activities! You will be able to get up on stage for a photo-op with the car that you can share on social media.

You might recall the coverage of Alan Bean’s Corvette in the September issue of Vette Vues Magazine. In that article, we learned about the unique program from Chevrolet for the Astronauts.

It started with a man named Jim Rathmann. Some of you might remember him from winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1960. When he retired he owned and operated a Chevrolet-Cadillac dealership in Melbourne, Florida. Melbourne is about fifty miles south of the John F. Kennedy Space Center and a launch site for NASA.

Jim Rathmann became friends with many of the astronauts. He negotiated a particular lease arrangement with Chevrolet to put the astronauts into Chevrolet cars. For $1 a year, the astronauts could lease a car. They could choose any Chevrolet they wanted. We learn that six of the first group of astronauts picked Corvettes.

Alan Bean’s 1969 Apollo XII Corvette

For a quick look back at Alan Bean’s 1969 Apollo XII Corvette, we learned that Alan Bean said in an exclusive interview in 1969 that the Apollo 12 lunar team – Bean, Pete Conrad, and Dick Gordon asked Rathmann for three identically prepared Riverside Gold Corvette coupes. They had 427/390 and were customized with a unique two-tone design dreamed up by Bean. The men were photographed with their cars for a story and published in Life magazine.

Our feature Corvette was once again discovered by Danny Reed in Austin, Texas and who believed it to be another “special lease” astronaut car. What are the odds of finding Alan Bean’s 1969 Apollo XII Corvette, then 46 years later, Alfred Worden’s 1971 Apollo XV Corvette on used car lots in Austin, TX?

For a little history on the car, the Apollo 15 lunar-mission crewmembers Commander Dave Scott, Command Module Pilot Alfred Worden, Lunar Module Pilot James Irwin, chose a more-patriotic theme for their 1971 Corvettes, once again provided through Rathmann.

The cars were Mille Miglia Red, Classic White, and Bridgehampton Blue. They and their Corvettes were also photographed for a story in Life magazine in the red, white and blue order, representing the colors of the American flag.

Danny tells Vette Vues Magazine, “In 1971, I bought Alan Bean’s Gold & Black 1969 Corvette in a closed bid from General Motors. I found it on a GMAC car lot in Austin. Now, 46 years later and thanks to my Corvette friend Carl Sanger, it seems I’ve stumbled across Astronaut Al Worden’s 1971 (CMP) Apollo XV Corvette, once again on a used car lot in Austin, Texas.”

While Danny and his Alan Bean AstroVette were doing the Corvette Invasion show, he received a text from Carl Sanger telling him that there was a Corvette posted on Craigslist and it was once owned by an Astronaut.

Danny says, “I checked the location, and it was located in a small camper & used car lot, three houses past the turnoff to the event – about a mile away. I called, set up an appointment, left a deposit and bought the car July 20th, the 48th Anniversary of Apollo 11 and the first man on the moon.”

Danny learned that this astronaut Corvette, basically a “barn find,” was kept in an open field for years.

“The good news – is it is ‘Numbers Matching!’ The crew had requested their cars to be equipped with the 454 cubic inch, 390 horsepower, 500 ft torque engines.”

Alfred Worden’s 1971 Apollo XV Astronaut Corvette was recently found and was located in a small camper & used car lot in Austin Texas.

Alfred Worden’s 1971 Apollo XV Astronaut Corvette was recently found by Danny Reed who also found the Alan Bean’s 1969 Apollo XII Astrovette 46 years earlier.

Danny learned that this astronaut Alfred Worden’s 1971 Apollo XV Corvette, basically a “barn find,” was kept in an open field for years.

Alfred Worden’s 1971 Apollo XV Corvette

Alfred Worden’s 1971 Apollo XV Corvette

Alfred Worden’s 1971 Apollo XV Corvette

As you can see, Alfred Worden’s 1971 Apollo XV Corvette’s interior will need some restoration.

All and all, Alfred Worden’s 1971 Apollo XV Corvette doesn’t look to be in too bad of shape for being 47 years old.

Alfred Worden’s 1971 Apollo XV Corvette’s will need some paint!

The crew had requested their cars to be equipped with the 454 cubic inch, 390 horsepower, 500 ft torque engines.

Cover of the June 1971 issue of Life Magazine which has Alfred Worden’s 1971 Apollo XV Corvette inside.

June 1971 issue of Life Magazine

June 1971 issue of Life Magazine

This photo appeared in the June 1971 issue of Life Magazine. This is the text under the picture of the astronaut’s Corvettes. “Next, to the brand-new red, white and blue Chevrolet Corvettes belonging to Apollo 15’s three astronauts, James Irwin, Alfred Worden and David Scott (left to right), the LRV looks homely but also quite functional. The cost of designing and producing three Rovers-one for each of the three final Apollo missions-plus spare parts and other paraphernalia was $37,800,000, almost twice the contractor’s original estimate.”

Since Danny has taken ownership of the car, it has been documented by the NCRS Historical Document Services, and like Alan Bean’s 1969 it is one of the “Special Lease” cars: 26-000 / Florida Zone Car / delivered to Rathmann Chevrolet in Melbourne, Florida / Build Date: 2/13/1971.

The Apollo XV Corvette is currently in Danny’s warehouse with “Stretch,” a rare 1971 Chevy truck once owned by his Boat Racing friend, John Annin.

Alfred Worden’s 1971 Apollo XV Corvette

The Apollo XV Corvette is currently in Danny’s warehouse with “Stretch,” a rare 1971 Chevy truck once owned by his Boat Racing friend, John Annin.

What are Danny’s plans for this historical Corvette? “I plan to get Al Worden’s Corvette drivable.”

Many of you noticed that the Corvette had aftermarket valve covers and air cleaner, Danny is replacing them with original stock parts.
Danny will be revealing his “Barn Find” at the Corvette Chevy Expo in Galveston Island Texas this March 10 & 11, 2018. Interestingly enough, Galveston Island is just thirty miles south of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. We are also excited that Danny will be bringing Alan Bean’s Astrovette to display alongside Alfred Worden’s 1971 Apollo XV Corvette.

Alfred Worden’s 1971 Apollo XV Corvette, had aftermarket valve covers and air cleaner, Danny is replacing them with original stock parts.

If any of our readers are familiar with the car or have photos or information about its history, please let us know, and we will pass it on to Danny as he documents its history. Email info@corvettechevyexpo.com

You can also learn about the Vette Vues Magazine Tri-Power ® Award:

Congratulations to Tony Schmitter, John Cox, David Garza, Julio C. Toro, Gary Hollander, and Kirk Weidman for the top six photos in our Photo Contest. You will each receive two weekend passes to the 40th Corvette Chevy Expo March 10 & 11 at the Galveston Island Convention Center. Thanks to everyone who participated! Stay tuned for our next contest!

Al Knoch Interiors does onsite installs at the Corvette Chevy Expo in Galveston Island, Texas (just south of Houston).

Al Knoch Interiors can install door panels, convertible tops, and more at the 40th Corvette Chevy Expo, March 10 and 11, 2018 at the Galveston Island Convention Center. There are a limited number of installs they can do so don’t wait to call! Call them to set an appointment today! 1.800.880.8080

We are gearing up for the 40th Corvette Chevy Expo. Al Knoch Interiors does installs at the Corvette Chevy Expo in Galveston Island, Texas (just south of Houston). They can only do so many, so call them to reserve your spot 1.800.880.8080. They can install door panels, convertible tops, and more. To learn more about the Corvette Chevy Expo visit our website: https://corvettechevyexpo.com/ Al Knoch Interiors Onsite Installs at the Corvette Chevy Expo.

Corvette Chevy Expo Returns For Its 40th Anniversary In March

The Corvette Chevy Expo will celebrate its 40th anniversary when it returns to the Galveston Island Convention Center March 10-11, 2018.

Punta Gorda, FL – June 1, 2017 — The Corvette Chevy Expo will celebrate its 40th anniversary when it returns to the Galveston Island Convention Center March 10-11, 2018. The Expo is produced by Vette Vues Magazine, Inc.

The All Chevy-themed event held annually at the GICC, is one of the south’s greatest Corvette & Chevy shows, attracting spectators from Texas as well as surrounding states.

Located on Galveston’s famous Seawall Boulevard, the Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort is the perfect destination for a weekend of Corvette and Chevy fun. The Corvette Chevy Expo rents the entire first floor equaling 83,800 square feet.

As you enter the 29,000 square foot pre-function space you see World Class Chevrolet Show Cars beautifully display with the breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico.

The 43,100-square-foot main exhibition hall also is full of show cars, cars for sale, as well as Major National Corvette and Chevy Vendors from across the country. Overflow vendors are in the 5,100 sq ft. Galleon room along with the food court and stage.

In 2016, the Corvette Chevy Expo introduced the new Craft show. This encompasses 6,600 sq ft of handmade items from the local region.

Kathi Richardson, from the local Corvette Club, heads up the new Show’n Shine Car Show in front of the Galveston Island Convention Center. There are two shows, one on Saturday and one on Sunday, each with the own set of awards.

Sunday, Vette Vues Magazine does its photo shoot for their Racy Vues column followed by Swimsuit USA International’s swimsuit contest.

There is plenty of available free parking in the adjacent parking garage.